HSE moves to allay fears over transfer of breast cancer services

CORK TDs who requested a meeting with cancer tsar Professor Tom Keane over the proposed transfer of breast cancer services to Cork University Hospital (CUH) have been offered a tour of the new ward.

Set for next Monday, the tour is being seen as an attempt by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to allay the fears and concerns of the campaigners.

They are fighting the transfer of the service from the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH) to CUH.

Labour spokesperson on disability and equality, Kathleen Lynch TD, said the tour was offered after a delegation requested a public discussion with Prof Keane.

“We approached the HSE with questions and with a view to arranging a meeting with Prof Keane,” she said.

“What we were offered was this tour with the general manager of the hospital, Tony McNamara, and John Magner of National Cancer Control Programme.”

Ms Lynch said she did not expect Prof Keane to be there, but he had been invited to a public meeting on February 19.

“This is a tour of where they intend to move the breast treatment services and we will again be voicing our concerns,” she said. “From our understanding, what we are talking about is two beds with no room set aside for nurses.”

Ms Lynch said primary contact for the patient was with the nurses so it was imperative there is enough space.

“We are very anxious, and the women opposed to it are a very dedicated and organised group. They are not just patients, but family members, former patients and healthcare workers.”

Ms Lynch said if it was proven that the proposed service at CUH could work better than the current one at SIVUH, they would give it their full backing.

“If what is being proposed is better then we are all going to thrilled,” she said.

“Our difficulty is if the facility is not offering the same level of care to women.”

Ms Lynch said she hopes to garner support in Co Kerry where women are understood to be bypassing CUH in favour of the SIVUH.

Up until now, both hospitals provided breast cancer clinics. CUH diagnosed 141 breast cancers in 2007, compared with 210 at SIVUH.

SIVUH patient, Sheila Coleman, who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, said she and others familiar with the hospital are “devastated” by the HSE’s transfer plan.

“The South Infirmary is our crutch and it’s what we depend and rely on and it’s where we’re getting an excellent service,” she said. “They have beautiful treatment rooms and the back-up service is brilliant.”